Saints quarterback Drew Brees is lending his support to embattled Saints lineback Jonathan Vilma, who is fighting a season-long suspension for his alleged role in the team's bounty scandal. (See the affidavit.)

Brees filed an affidavit in federal court in support of Vilma as well as questioning the league's claim that Saints players participated in a bounty program.

The affidavit was filed in U.S. District Court Judge Helen "Ginger" Berrigan's court, where Vilma is fighting his NFL suspension and is also seeking access to the team's facilities to rehabilitate an injured and surgical-repaired knee.

In the court document, Brees states, "My understanding is that Mr. Goodell has accused members of our defense, including Jonathan, of engaging in a pay to injure program that involved offering financial incentives to teammates to intentionally injure opposing players. I have no knowledge of a pay to injure program existing, and have yet to personally see any evidence that would substantiate this allegations."

Brees vouched for the character of Vilma, saying in the document, "In my four years as a teammate with Jonathan, I have found that he is a man of integrity who passionately plays the game of football within the framework of the rules and had respect for his opponents."

Brees also cited Vilma's commitment to rebuilding New Orleans post-Katrina and the work of Vilma's foundation to rebuild Haitian schools after the earthquake in 2010 as testaments to the linebacker's upstanding character.

LOL..sorry bro. I am sure it did. Personally don't see how it's going to make a hill of beans. Seems like a waste but who knows.

Seer1

07-21-2012 06:30 PM

Watch out! rg's pullin' his paddle down from the wall again!

UK_WhoDat

07-21-2012 06:57 PM

Interesting.

Maybe it is to silence the cynics that who believe that Brees had knowledge as the team captian of bounty stuff.
Maybe it is a precursor of how Brees will show support for players generally.

CharityMike

07-21-2012 09:05 PM

Florio's 2 cents:

Posted by Mike Florio on July 21, 2012, 3:01 PM EDT

Getty Images
After weeks of offering periodic commentary regarding the allegations of a bounty program maintained for three years by the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees has taken a direct, active role in the effort to block the suspension of his teammate, linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

In an affidavit submitted in connection with Vilma’s effort to overturn his suspension and, more immediately, to delay the suspension until the litigation concludes, Brees explains that Vilma should not be suspended.

Largely meaningless as to most of the legal issues that will determine whether the suspension is delayed and/or overturned, Brees’ affidavit has arguable relevance as to one of the specific factors for issuing an injunction against the suspension pending resolution of the lawsuit: the public interest.

At paragraph 3 of the affidavit, a copy of which PFT has obtained, Brees says that the suspension prevents Vilma from “continuing to fulfill the leadership position he has assumed with our team since 2008, as one of the Defensive Team Captains since 2009, and off the field as mentor to young players and in the community.” At paragraph 9, Brees says that Vilma “has also exhibited a dedication to helping the New Orleans community recover from Katrina and its economic struggles.” At paragraph 10, Brees says that Vilma’s suspension “will have a significant impact on our team and within our community.”

It’s unknown whether the affidavit will help Vilma delay or ultimately avoid a suspension. But it can’t hurt.

The affidavit also touches on the semantics-driven heart of the bounty dispute. At paragraph 8, Brees says, “It is my understanding that Mr. Goodell has accused members of our defense, including Jonathan, of engaging in a pay to injure program that involved offering financial incentives to teammates to intentionally injure opposing players.”

While the league arguably has overstated the allegations from time to time for P.R. purposes, the suspensions flow from offering financial incentives to apply good, clean, legal hits in a way that result in injury. There’s no specific intent to injure; the intent is to apply good, clean, legal hits. If a good, clean, legal hit kept the person who absorbs the good, clean, legal hit from playing, then the player delivering the hit received extra money for a “cart-off” (if the player returned to the game later) or a “knockout” (if he didn’t return at all).

Brees is smart enough to know this. He’s also smart enough to know that, unless and until the league is willing to embrace the debate that would result from a clear, unequivocal explanation that suspensions were imposed for a system that encouraged players simply to do the jobs they already were paid to do (i.e., apply good, clean, legal hits), Brees’ skewed explanation of the allegations won’t be challenged.

ChrisXVI

07-21-2012 09:43 PM

That's gotta really bother Der Furher Goodell... The highest paid player and mulitple record holder in his league is calling him out lol!

saintfan

07-21-2012 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharityMike
(Post 420147)

LOL..sorry bro. I am sure it did. Personally don't see how it's going to make a hill of beans. Seems like a waste but who knows.

Legally, it doesn't matter. But OTHER PLAYERS need to step up and do this. OTHER PLAYERS need to come forth, from all around the league, and I suspect many would but for their fear of Roger, and that's just how Roger wants it, and that's unfortunate.

QBREES9

07-22-2012 01:33 AM

Keep fighting Johnny.

Speedy Ron

07-22-2012 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintfan
(Post 420195)

Legally, it doesn't matter. But OTHER PLAYERS need to step up and do this. OTHER PLAYERS need to come forth, from all around the league, and I suspect many would but for their fear of Roger, and that's just how Roger wants it, and that's unfortunate.

I think the players of years back would do this, not these selfish *****s these days. They mostly look out for themselves these days. Unity would make a statement here but won't happen